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The light of dawn has fallen upon a new season of Major League Baseball. This season brings with it new faces and new rules, all of which are changing the landscape of the game yet again. However, some things are still the same old, like umpires making egregious calls that shift the momentum of the game in the opposite direction. 

Just recently, in the game between the San Francisco Giants and the New York Yankees, the umpiring crew made several questionable calls that left fans and players alike fuming with frustration. In particular, home plate umpire Andy Fletcher came under fire for making some egregiously incorrect strike calls in the key moments of the game. 

The New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants were both subject to bad umpire calls 

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In the heat of the game, umpire Andy Fletcher made a questionable strike three calls in the bottom of the fifth inning. With two New York Yankees runners nearing home plate victory, Fletcher’s call on a pitch that seemed to stray off the plate left the Yankees as well as the fans in disbelief. This situation was a critical one for the team, with third baseman Josh Donaldson at bat and the game in the balance. Unfortunately for the Yankees, the rival pitcher managed to escape unscathed, thanks in no small part to Fletcher’s call.

Despite their disappointment, the Yankees kept their head straight and hoped to regain the momentum of the game. But their hopes were crumbled to the ground in the end, as the Giants pitcher held firm and forced Gleyber Torres to ground out to end the inning, leaving the runners stranded. 

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As if that weren’t enough, the Giants themselves had reason to take issue with a strike three call in the top of the sixth inning. With bases loaded and Michael Conforto at the plate, the pitch sailed high above the strike zone, yet somehow, Fletcher called it a strike.

Yet another bad call has fans fuming with frustration 

As the game progressed, yet another questionable call made itself known during the game. Thairo Estrada appeared to have caught the ball, but on closer inspection by fans, it was clear that he was not on second base. Fans have erupted in protest, arguing that the runners were safe and that the call was a blatant error. 

This surely was a frustrating turn of events for everyone involved

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In the end, it was a game not decided by the players, but rather one that was determined by the erratic rulings of the umpires.

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